“Though our views on politics varied, we were all in agreement about immortals. Vampires, as you are aware, are dangerous and useless to humans. They don’t provide any benefit to humanity whatsoever.”
I ground my fist into my thigh to keep myself calm, as I could feel my temper flaring. “What benefitscouldthey provide?”
“For starters, they could take out the trash.” He sniffed. “They could cleanse the ghettos, make our streets safe again by draining the homeless, eradicate those with disease and mental illness. They could purge the world of the lazy, the weak, the poor, the stupid—those who aren’t contributing to the betterment of mankind. Think of how advanced civilization would be if vampires had spent their time on earth removing undesirables. Think of how much better off we’d all be.”
I was too shocked to speak. I looked at Maxine, who was enthusiastically nodding in agreement. I couldn’tbelievethat I was related to these hideous human beings.
“It would be beneficial for both parties. They’d get blood and we’d get a better planet.” Richard sighed. “But vampires do no such thing, do they? Instead, they go to blood banks and take the easy way out.”
“The blood banks were how we found out you’re a supporter of our cause. So at least they’ve been good for one thing,” Maxine told me.
I frowned. “A supporter . . . of . . . your cause?”
Maxine leaned forward and winked like we were sharing a secret. “We have contacts on the inside.”
I was so lost. “The inside of what?” Were my great-grandparents completely nuts or what?
Richard folded his arms across his chest, aggravated. “We’d waste a lot less time if you stopped playing games, young lady. You gave your blood to eradicate vampirism. The serum?”
Maxine added, “What we can’t figure out is why it stopped being made. We’re hoping you could shed some light on that for us.”
“No-no-no-no,” I chanted, flabbergasted. “That wasn’t . . . No. You guys have it wrong. I didn’tvolunteerto make the serum. Myblood was used without my knowledge.” Translation: I am absolutely, undeniably, unequivocallynoton the same page as you crazy-ass bigots. I’m not even in the same book—or library—as you two.
Maxine and Richard exchanged a secret look that made me nervous.
Starting to piece it together, I said, “Is that why you’ve come here? You think I hate vampires like you do and want them wiped off the planet?”
Richard straightened. “We don’thatevampires any more than we hate poisonous spiders or mosquitos. We simply recognize their threat and do not feel they are a benefit to humanity. Thus, they should be eradicated.”
“So, what, you gave me a million dollars because you thought I’d join your hunting club?”
“No, darling, we gave you the money because you are our great-granddaughter and we’ve missed you,” Maxine simpered.
Right.
“We also hope,” Richard said, “that you’ll give us some of your blood.”
“Why would you want my blood?”
“Haven’t you figured it out?” Maxine asked cheerily. “We want to start making the serum again.”
Well, that wasn’t good. “Why?”
Richard clucked his tongue. “Whyisn’t important, Olivia. Whatisimportant is your willingness to help us. That isn’t very much to ask, is it? A bit of your blood in exchange for one million dollars?”
“So, there it is. You were bribing me. Isn’t that nice?” I stared at them coldly, folding my arms across my chest. “I’m sorry, I can’t give you my blood. I don’t share your beliefs about vampires—or much of anything else. I’ll give you your money back, if that’s what you want.”
“Pardon me,” Maxine said, reaching her tiny hand into her dress pocket to extract a cell phone. She squinted at the screen, then quickly fired off a text. Probably talking shit about me, like I cared.
I didn’t waste my energy trying to change their outlook on the world or vampires. What would be the point? When people were as full of hate as these two, they were beyond reason.
Maxine nodded at Richard and then they stood.
Despite the Nolans being insane hatemongers, I felt kind of bad. They werestillfamily—the only family I had left. I’d learned nothing about my background beyond Richard’s questionable activities.
“You don’t have to leave,” I said, chasing after them like an ankle-biting Chihuahua as they strode for the door. “I wasn’t throwing you out. I just don’t want to give you my blood.”
“I’m afraid we must be going,” Richard said, which brought me relief. At least this way my conscience would be clear. I’d tried to get to know them, but they’d declined.
